Over the last few months we have witnessed a serous increase in the level of anti-social behavior around the church building. This has included alcoholism, aggressive begging, drug dealing during the night and loud parties between 2:00am and 4:00am causing disturbance to the occupants of the Vicarage and local neighbours. Users of our halls, including young mothers taking their children to play school, have suffered abuse, as have Rev Julie, the children in her care and Theodora our Parish Administrator. Our reputation in the community has suffered. This cannot be allowed to continue.
In the light of advice from the Head of Anti-Social Behaviour for Enfield Council and the local police, and with the active engagement and support of Bishop Rob Wickham and Archdeacon John Hawkins the PCC has agreed to put in place a range of additional security arrangements in order to safeguard members of the community, congregation and employees. These arrangements include gates across the two porches; additional external security lighting; CCTV and an intercom for the parish office.
We are sorry that, in coming to St John’s, Rev Julie has been subject to this behaviour and we are grateful to her for her patience whilst these works are undertaken.